By Andy Demetra | The voice of the yellow vests
There’s not much satisfaction in playing the spoiler, but Georgia Tech (8-14, 1-11 ACC) may have to settle for that role as they take on some of the NCAA Tournament hopefuls of the ACC.
North Carolina State (18-5, 8-4 ACC) didn’t think it was in this conversation after an 11-21 season in 2021-22 and then a preseason 10th place finish in the US media poll. ‘ACC. But the Wolfpack built legitimate momentum for March, winning seven of their last eight Jeux and appearing in nationwide support projections. They may not be top of the ACC standings, but they could play with the most confidence of any team in the league.
Then again, knowing you can’t afford a Quad 4 skid can create its own kind of discomfort. And they face a Georgia Tech team that won four right Jeux at the PNC Arena, often confusingly, at the last second.
Any kind of psychological advantage could come in handy for a technical team that knows it won’t be an optional night in Raleigh. Enjoy the top notes from my chart as the Yellow Jackets complete their road swing (1 p.m. ET, Legends Sports’ Georgia Tech Sports Network):
Jalon Moore scored a season-high 17 points with nine rebounds when the teams opened Jan. 17. (photo by Danny Karnik)
It should have come as no surprise when Armando Bacot of North Carolina won the bulk of the votes for Pre-Season ACC Player of the Year.
But stay. Terquplane Smith… and vote? After an average of 18 points in conference in the first year? After returning to NC State despite being screened in the first round of the NBA draft?
These charts could look even more offbeat next month. The ACC’s leading scorer (19.1 points per game), Smith continues to build a compelling record for player of the year, with 32 points against Florida State Wednesday and 25 against the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta. When he’s not using the profusion of hesi to sink into the lane, he’s chaining deep threes if the teams are under the screens. He is also increasingly good at throwing sending off passes to his teammates.
With 6-1 Jarkel Joiner, who had 19 points against Tech in January, NC State has a pair of aggressive, athletic guards on ball screens who shoot with unbridled confidence. There is no magic formula to stop them other than earning them points. NC State runs a no-frills, ball-screening and DHO offense, though they run it with high levels of swagger and self-confidence.
Josh Pastner said his defense needed to force more turnovers, but Tech harassed NC State in its second highest turnover rate of the season at Atlanta (21.2%). This is remarkable because the Wolfpack has since climbed to second nationally turnover rate (13.6%). Recovering Lance Terry should give Tech another flytrap defender who can spin on Smith or Joiner.
*****
Tech led NC State 18-8 at 15:05 of the first half in Atlanta.
What made this so impressive? NC State could claim the title of the best starting team in the ACC:
| Opponent | Means |
| Miami | 25-13 |
| Duc | 15-0 |
| Virginie Tech | 13-2 |
| state of florida | 30-4 |
No other ACC team has led State this far this early in the first half.
*****
For the first time in a long time, Georgia Tech did not lament the lack of free throw attempts. This time they lamented that they didn’t make them.
The Jackets’ comeback effort at Louisville was marred by 12 of 20 free throws in the second half. They might have a chance to redeem themselves in Raleigh: NC State still allows the opponents’ highest point percentage to take out free throws in the ACC game.
| % of free throw points (ACC only) | |
| NC State Defense | 23,2 % |
| Infraction Georgia Tech | 12,9 % |
That high free throw rate is a function of how aggressive NC State is on defense: The Wolfpack likes to sit in passing lanes and slap and sweep ball carriers. They also play a full-court press that doesn’t always produce turnovers, but can have a waning effect on opposing backyards. If teams break it, however, it can create opportunities for 3-on-2 or 2-on-1 attacks on the edge.
The Wolfpack’s fast-paced defensive style also forces teams to shoot in threes. Not only do opponents draw a lot of them, but NC State defends them well.
| Category | Percentage | ACC Ranking (conference only) |
| 3pt. Rate (3pt. FGA/FGA) | 31% | #1 |
| 3pt. FG% defense | 30,30% | #1 |
Pastner argued that if his team had made their free throws and had, say, 5 of 21 of three instead of 2 of 21, they could have beaten NC State last month. The Wolfpack Again cheat ball side corners in hopes of pickpocketing dribblers, which can sometimes lead to open looks in the half court. Technology will have to make those three kickouts available, something that’s been frustratingly lacking lately.
.
Ja’von Franklin recorded a season-high seven offensive rebounds against Louisville. (photo courtesy of Louisville Athletics)
The list of players who become All-ACC immediately after the transfer is still uneven.
DJ Burns Jr. (6-9, 275 lbs) could change that. A former Winthrop Great Southern Player of the Year, Burns, who is average 19.5 points in their last four games, gave the Wolfpack much-needed ground spacing for Smith and Joiner. As we saw in Atlanta, this is a light van on its feet that has impressive passing touch in short turns and the foul line. He’s also not above backing Barkley-style defenders from the wing.
Tech’s frontcourt may have had its best ACC game against NC State last month – besides by Jalon Moore 17 points and 9 rebounds, a career high, Rodney Howard finished with nine points, seven rebounds and five assists. The Jackets rolled up their highest differential in second chance points (+13) in ACC playing against a state team that ranked among the league leaders in rebound margin.
Their energy will have to set the tone on Saturday. Among the players they will face is 6-8 Greg Gantt, who has one of the most eclectic stat lines in ACC play this season. In the three games since Georgia Tech, Gantt has scored no points…and grabbed 17 rebounds.
*****
Apropos of nothing: The ACC includes a shooter named ‘Schutt’ (Duke freshman Jaden Schutt), a point guard named ‘Pass’ (NC State sophomore Breon Pass) and a post player named ‘Post’ (Boston College senior Quinten Post ).
Although oddly, the player named “Pack” plays for Miami (UM guard Nijel Pack).
*****
Now that we’re ready, we hope you are too. Join us for pre-game coverage starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on Legends Sports’ Georgia Tech Sports Network. See you in Raleigh.
-ADVERTISEMENT-
Alexandre-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech Athletics, providing scholarships, operations, and facilities support for over 400 Georgia Tech student-athletes. Help develop Georgia Tech’s Daily Champions and help the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest level of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships directly to Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Vests, visit atfund.org.
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH MEN’S BASKETBALL
Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball team completed six seasons under head coach Josh Pastner, winning the 2021 Atlantic Coast Conference championship and making their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 11 years. . Tech has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1979, has won four ACC championships (1985, 1990, 1993, 2021), appeared in the NCAA Tournament 17 times and played in two Final Fours (1990, 2004). Connect with Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball on social media by liking their Facebook pageor following Twitter (@GTMBB) et Instagram. For more information on Tech Basketball, visit Ramblinwreck.com.
